top of page
Europe News

Latest Europe News


ECB Nears Unveiling of New Banking Rule Simplifications Amid Internal Friction
The European Central Bank is entering the final stretch before announcing a new package of banking rule simplifications, with ECB President Christine Lagarde confirming that the long-awaited review of supervisory regulations has been completed and is set for publication in the coming days. Speaking before the European Parliament, Lagarde revealed that “next Thursday, Vice President Luis de Guindos will present very specifically — I think there are 15 different areas for whi
3 days ago4 min read


Meta Accuses EU of “Aberrant” Overreach in Long-Running Antitrust Data Battle
Meta Platforms on Wednesday sharply criticised what it described as “aberrant” and excessively intrusive demands for information issued by EU antitrust regulators during two investigations launched four years ago, marking a new peak in corporate resistance to what many companies argue are disproportionate regulatory powers. The company — which had earlier compared the European Commission’s data-gathering approach in the Facebook social network and online classified ads pr
Nov 282 min read


EU Weighs New Measures to Rein in Russia’s Expanding Shadow Fleet
Brussels is considering another round of restrictive actions aimed at those enabling Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” to move oil, as the bloc intensifies efforts to curb Moscow’s capacity to fund its war in Ukraine. Sources say EU foreign ministers, gathering in Brussels on Thursday, will examine ways to boost cooperation with ship-registering nations in order to disrupt Russia’s methods for evading existing sanctions. In a document circulated ahead of the meeting, Pola
Nov 202 min read


VFS Global Warns UAE Travellers: Schengen “Small Country Trick” Promises Fast Visas but Often Leads to Refusals
VFS Global has cautioned UAE travellers against relying on the widespread belief that applying for a Schengen visa through smaller countries such as Luxembourg or Malta guarantees quicker approval. According to Monaz Billimoria, VFS Global’s UAE Regional Director, this assumption is incorrect — and, in many cases, leads directly to visa refusals. Billimoria stressed that Schengen visa processing is governed by the EU Visa Code (Regulation 810/2009), which outlines a clear a
Nov 184 min read


EU Drafts New Implementation Plan for US Trade Deal, Targets Tariff Reductions and Economic Security
The European Union is preparing a new proposal to the United States aimed at advancing the next phase of the trade deal reached between the two sides earlier this summer, according to people familiar with the matter. The plan, which has not yet been announced in the US, will center on five key areas, including the lowering of rates for additional products such as wines and spirits. The initiative comes ahead of a meeting later this month between EU trade chief Maros Sefco
Nov 142 min read


EU Imposes Stricter Visa Measures on Russian Nationals Amid Escalating Security Fears
The European Commission has moved to further tighten visa procedures for Russian citizens, announcing the abolition of multiple-entry visas and the introduction of more rigorous checks across all EU member states. The decision, which Brussels attributes to heightened security concerns linked to the ongoing war in Ukraine and the rise of “hybrid threats,” marks another escalation in the bloc’s response to Moscow’s continued aggression. Executive Vice President Henna Virkun
Nov 113 min read


Portugal’s Sweeping Immigration Overhaul: Law No. 61/2025 Abolishes Job-Seeking Visa and Leaves Applicants in Limbo
As of October 23rd, 2025, Portugal has abruptly canceled all work-seeking visa appointments worldwide following the enactment of Law No. 61/2025, a sweeping reform that has transformed the country’s immigration landscape. Published in the Official Gazette on October 22nd, the law abolishes the popular job-seeking visa and replaces it with a new “highly skilled work-seeking visa” reserved for high-qualified professionals. However, the new visa category cannot yet be applied fo
Oct 296 min read


Switzerland Launches Unified Schengen Visa Application System in the US Through VFS Global
Switzerland’s new system for processing Schengen short-stay visa applications in the United States is now fully operational, marking a...
Oct 92 min read
bottom of page
